Graphic recordings reveal layers of meaning at Diversity Forum

Two people look at a large sheet of white paper with colorful graphic designs drawn to fill the page.
The colorful graphic recordings by artist Sherrill Knezel of Meaningful Marks were among the most popular features of the 2022 Diversity Forum. (Photo by Andy Manis)

Among the most popular features of the 2022 Diversity Forum were the live graphic recordings on massive sheets of white paper tucked in the corner of Varsity Hall.

Sherrill Knezel draws on a large sheet of white paper.
Wisconsin artist Sherrill Knezel of Meaningful Marks created seven graphic recordings at the conference. (Photo by Andy Manis)

The colorful graphic visualizations, hand-drawn by Wisconsin artist Sherrill Knezel of Meaningful Marks, artfully displayed the themes and messages of the sessions as the conference progressed.

UW–Madison hosted the 2022 Diversity Forum, The Power of Remembering: Reclaiming Our Legacies to Imagine New Futures, as a free, hybrid conference on Nov. 14 & 15 in Union South. You can watch recordings of all sessions from the conference at diversityforum.wisc.edu.

Knezel created seven graphic recordings during the two days of the conference covering sessions, including the keynote address by Dr. Tiya Miles on day one and the Art + Academe special feature at the close of day two.

You can view all seven of the graphic recordings below. Tap on any image to view a larger version.

A large, detailed graphic visualization in red, black and white.
Graphic recording by Sherrill Knezel of the Diversity Forum 2022 keynote address, “Carrying It Forward: Material Culture, Living Memory, and Historical Engagement,” by Dr. Tiya Miles.
A large, detailed graphic visualization in red, black and white.
Graphic recording by Sherrill Knezel of the Diversity Forum 2022 session: “Laying the Groundwork for Brighter Futures: Pathways to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Administration.”
A large, detailed graphic visualization in red, black and white.
Graphic recording by Sherrill Knezel of the Diversity Forum 2022 session: “A Disability Primer: Reclaiming, Imagining, Creating Change.”
A large, detailed graphic visualization in red, black and white.
Graphic recording by Sherrill Knezel of the Diversity Forum 2022 session: “Activism and the Arts: Building Legacies in Wisconsin and Beyond.”
A large, detailed graphic visualization in red, black and white.
Graphic recording by Sherrill Knezel of the Diversity Forum 2022 session: “Using Data to Inform Our Decisions: The 2021 Campus Climate Survey Task Force.”
A large, detailed graphic visualization in red, black and white.
Graphic recording by Sherrill Knezel of the Diversity Forum 2022 session: “Reckoning with Ourselves: Developing Skills to Process and Engage with Difficult Histories.”
A large, detailed graphic visualization in red, black and white.
Graphic recording by Sherrill Knezel of the Diversity Forum 2022 special feature “Art + Academe.”